Fastener



Patented June 30, 1936 UNlTED STA'EES FASTENER Application December s, 1933, serial No. 701,440

6 claims. (c1. ca -194) This invention relates to a fastener and has special reference to a device adapted to be adjustabiy associated with straps, bands, and the like, for the support of garments or other objects on the person.

More particularly, this invention relates to fasteners comprising slidably engaged frames for receiving a strap, band, or the like, threaded therebetween, the frames cooperating to clamp the strap in various adjusted positions upon the tensioning of the strap. The strap is clamped between opposed faces of cooperating cross bars, one of the cross bars having araised portion thereon coacting with the edge of the other of the cooperating cross bar to grip the strap in its clamped position.

The device of the present invention is adaptable for use with various types of objects particularly on the person and may be employed with slight variations not departing from the spirit of the invention universally Where detachable connections are desired to be made. However, in the drawing and in the following description, the fastener will be shown and described in association with a shoulder strap for lingerie and also in its association with a sho'ulder strap of an overall, the strap in each instance being threaded through the slots defined by the side bars and cross bars in the slidably engaged frames, the strap being clamped between the opposed faces of the cooperating cross bars and also between the edge of one of the cooperating crcss bars and an abrupt raised portion or an opening provided by an abrupt raised portion of the other of the cooperating cross bars. It will of course, be readily apparent that various other uses could be mentioned and that this invention :is not to be limited to the specific use herein described and illustrated.

A fastener is herein contemplated which is formed of two slidably engaged frames for the reception of a strap threaded therebetween, the frame members and vassociated elements cooperating to grip eiiiciently and at the same time to permit of a ready adjustment. The strap is held positively against slipping after an initial application of tension and the slidably engaged frames are caused to assume a predetermined locked relation from which it is substantially impossible to unlock excepting by manual, application of force.

In the lingerie type of fastener the strain imposed thereon by the shoulder strap is not 0relirarily very substantial and a light weight frame is shown in the drawing. It is not believed necessary to reinforce the frames by forming the side bars and cross bars of arcuate cross section as is desirable in the instance of the overall buckle. Further, in the use of lingerie straps, it is desirable to provide for an automatic adjustment for straps of varying thicknesses and inV order to permit of such an accommodation it is contemplated in this invention to form at least one of the cooperating cross bars of one of the frame members in a manner to provide for its being resilient so that it may give when a relatively thick strap is inserted between the cooperating bars or will assume its original state when used in association with relatively narrow bars.

The factors entering into the automatic adjustment of straps of various thicknesses being the compressibility of the material of the strap and the resiliency of one of the cooperating cross bars. It is, of course, to be understood that only one cross bar need be rresilient since it may be desirable that the other cross bar maintain its rigidity by being formed with a raised portion for cooperating with the edge of the resilient bar.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a fastener comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames of the type hereinabove described, in which the strap may be conveniently threaded therethrough and may be easily adjusted.

Another object of this invention is to provide a fastener comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames of the character indicated above in which cooperating cross bars clamp the strap'in adjusted positions between the opposed faces thereof upon the tensioning of the strap, and also grip the strap between the edge of one of the cooperating cross bars and a raised portion or a recess provided by a raised portion on the other cross bar.

A further object of this invention is to provide a fastener comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames as hereinabove pointed out in which the construction may be relatively inexpensive to maufacture, may be durable and simple in construction, and may be simple in threading and in manipulation. 1

Other objects and advantages will be hereinafter more particularly pointed out and for a more complete understanding of the characteristic features of this invention, reference may now be had to the following description when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which latter:

Figure 1 is a face View of a fastener constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention in which the fastener is shown as connecting a portion of a shoulder strap with a fragmentary portion of a lingerie;

Figure 2 is a central vertical sectional view taken on the line 2 2 of Figure l, showing a clamped engagement between the slidably engaged frames;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing the position of the frames during the threading 0peration and prior to the clamped position thereof;

Fig. 4 is a plan sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 4 taken o-n the line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of one of the frames of the fastener construction illustrated. in Fig- Fig. 7 is a View similar to Fig. 6, showing the other of the frame members of the fastener construction shown in Figure 1;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 4, showing the action of a resilient cross bar of one of the frame members;

Fig. 9 is a face view of a fastener constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention in which the fastener is employed as a buckle connecting a portion of a strap with a fragmentary portion of a bibi of an overall;

Fig. 10 is a central vertical sectional view taken on the lne I--I of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of one of the frames of the fastener construction illustrated in Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 1l, showing the other of the frame members of the fastener construction shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 13 is a View similar to Fig. 2, showing a modified form of fastener incorporating the features of this invention;

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of. one of the frame members shown in Fig. 13; and

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 14, showing the other frame member embodied in Fig. 13.

Referring now to the drawing and more particularly to Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, thereof, the construction therein shown comprises a pair of frame members I5 and I5, the frame member I5 being substantially rectangular having side bars II and I8 and cross bars I9, 2i! and 2l defining Y substantially rectangular slots 22 and 23, as shown more particularly in Fig. 7 of the drawing.

The frame member i6 is likewise substantially rectangular in shape and comprises side bars 24 and 25 and cross bars 25 and 21 defining a substantially rectangular shaped opening 28, as shown more particularly in Fig. 6 of the drawing. The frames I5 and I6 are preferably stamped from sheet metal or otherwise formed of a unitary construction so that the commercial production of the fastener is thus facilitated. In the stamped fastener, the bars or frames may be dished in crosssection to result in the strengthening of the fastener and the use of a relatively light gage metal, although in the particular use to which the fastener illustrated in these figures is concerned, the surfaces of the sidey bars and cross bars are substantially flat.

The cross bar 26 is preferably flat and has an abrupt raised portion 29 adjacent one edge thereof the width of the raised portion being less than the width of the bar and terminatingpreferably a substantial` distance from the side bars 24 and 25. The raised portion 25 is preferably formed by slitting and deforming the material thereof between the slit and one edge upwardly beyond the thickness of the material to provide an opening thereat. 'I'he side bars 24 and 25 of the frame I 5 are preferably bent back upon themselves in a spaced relation to form channels for receiving the opposed edges or side bars I1 and I8 of the frame I5. Inthe form shown in the present figures, the upper sides of thechannels are substantially parallel with the frame and are spaced slightly greater than the width of the frame so that play may be had of about the thickness of a strap allowing preferably for a slight compressibility thereof.

In order to assemble one of the frames on the other frame, it is at least initially desirable to offset the bars I9 and 2o of the frame I5 to an extent such that these bars may pass over the raised portion 29 of the frame i5. The raised l portion 28, therefore, extends across the path of the cross bar 2! when in an assembled relation with the side bars I'I'and I8 resting in the channels formed on'the side bars 24 and 25.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 3 of the drawing, a strap 30 is shown in a threaded relation with the unclamped assembled frame members, the free end of the strap 3@ being passed under the bar i9 upwardly through the opening 22 over the bar 20 and thence downwardly through the slots 23 and 28 to a position behind n In this position of the frame memthe bar 21. bers, the strap may be readily moved in either direction for adjustment.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 2, the strap is shown in a clamped adjusted position, a

tension on the strap 3i! providing a relative lonbetween the edge of the cross bar EI and the edge of the raised portionZ of the bar 2B, the raised portion being positioned in the path of movement of the cross bar 2 I. An edge portion of the cross bar 2| of the frame I5 overlies the flat surface revmaining adjacent the raised portion of the bar 25 and clamps the strap 30 between the opposed faces thereof. Further, the edge of the bar 2i pinches the strap against the abruptly raised portion 29 of the cross bar 25 of the frame I to further frictional resistance between the strap and the fastener, it being noted further that the strap assumes a substantially right angle bend.

The space in the channel members in which the opposed edges of the frame I 5 ride may be slightdisplacement of these members from a clamped position except by manual force since there is a substantial 4frictional resistance to overcome in separating the frame members y Referring now moreparticularly to Figs. 9 to 12, inclusive, the construction therein shown is particularly adapted for use in connection with overalls and comprises a pair of frame members 3i! and 33, the frame member 32 being substantially rectangular and having side bars 34 and 35 connected between cross bars 36, 3l and 38 to d'efine substantially rectangular slots 39 and 40, as shown more particularly in Fig. 12 of the drawing.

'Ihe frame member 33 is likewise substantially rectangular in shape and comprisessides 4E and 42 connected byva cross bar 43 at one end thereof and by a cross bar 44 at the other end thereof, which latter cross bar is shaped to define a loop 45, the button receiving opening 46 of which opens into a substantially rectangular slot 41 defined by the side bars and cross bars. The loop 45 is preferably provided with offset portions 48 extending forwardly or upwardly with reference to `the reH mainder of the face of the loop and, further, portions 43 of the bar 44 are offset to extend in a direction rearwardly of the loop for facilitating the entrance of the button into the loop, the forwardly extending offset portions 48 directing the button forwardly over the bar 43 when tension is released from the strap to prevent displacement of the button from the loop.

' The frame members 32 and 33 may be conveniently stamped from sheet metal or otherwise formed preferably of a unitary construction so that the commercial production of the buckle may be facilitated. The cross b ars'of the frame 32, together with the bar 44 and its integrally formed loop, are preferably of dished or arciform cross section to provide for a relatively high strength in comparison to the light weight material. The opposed edges 4l and 42 of the frame 33 are preferably bent back upon themselves in a spaced relation to form channels for receiving the opposed edges 34 and 35 of the frame 32. The fiat bar 43 of the frame 33 hask an abrupt raised portion 50, which latter is substantially shorter than the width between the inner portions of the side bars and is narrower than the width of the bar from which it is'raised.

rIhe cross bars 36 and 3'! of the frame 32 are preferably at least initially raised in order that the frames may be assembled in aslidably engaged relation, the bars 36 and 3l being sufficiently high to pass over the raised portionl of the frame 33. After they are once in position, it may be desirable to straighten one or both of the bars so as to definitely limit the slidable movement therebetween and so that the frame members of the buckle may not become displaced one from the other, the bar 38 limiting the relative movement of the frames in one direction and either the bar 36 or 3l limiting the relative movementof the frame members in the other direction. However, it may be desirable tok permit the cross bars 35 and 3l to retain their initially raised positions` in order that the frame'members 32 and 33 may be disengaged one from the other.

After the frame members 32 and 33 arein an assembled condition, the bar 38 cooperates Vwith the fiat surface of the bar 43 to clamp the strap in adjusted positions between the opposed faces thereof upon tensioning of the strap, the spacing of the channels being preferably less than 'the combinedthicknesses of the strapkand the engaging edges. Also, the edge ofthe abrupt raised portion 5B may coact with the edge of the cross bar 38 to pinch the 'strap therebetween when the strap is in a clamped adjusted position, the 'strap not only being pinched between the opposed faces above described. but the strap is turned at substantially a right angle which provides a maximum friction practically impossible to overcome in any instance of ordinary-use without either tearing the strap or distorting the frames out of shape. Such a tension on the strap is, of course,

never had in the use of a garment even such as an overall which receives the most severe usage. In this instancefas in thepr'evious embodiment, theframes now beingv operated into a clamped adjusted position Y are, in effect, engaged in a manner similar to'that cfa clasp since it necessitates manualfforce and manipulation to disen gage the frame members once vthey are associated in the manner stated.

, The free end of a strap 5I is passed under the bar '36 upwardly through the opening 39 over the bar Hand thence downwardly through the slots di@ and el to aV position behind the loop 45, which threading is shown more clearily in Fig. 10. In

such a positionof the frame members, the strapv is ina substantially locked'adjust'ed position' and requires'rnanual manipulation of the frames in a directiontoward each other'to free the strap from such a position. f I

The construction shown inl-Figs. 13 to 15, inclusive, is very much similar 'to theembodiment first described in connection with Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, and comprises a pair of frame membersV 15a and lea, the frame member i5a being substantially rectangular having side bars I'Fa, and l8a and cross bars lSa, 23a, and Zia, defining substantially rectangular slots 22a, and 23a, as shown more `particularly in Fig. 15 of the drawing.

lThe frame member feo', is likewise substantially rectangular in shape and comprises side bars 24a and 25a and cross bars 23a and 21a Vdefining a substantially rectangular slot 28a, as shown more particularly in Fig. ,14 of the drawing. The frames l 502 and ld are preferably stamped from sheet metal orL otherwise formed of a unitary construction and, as in t'hepreviouslyy described L embodim ent,`the bars or frames may be` dished in cross section' and may be formed with the bar 'Ella having a loop opening into the interior of the frame to form the usualoverall buckle' construction.""

The cross bar 25a hasa substantially fiat surface having an abrupt raised portion 29a extending transversely of-the cross bar and terminating Aa'spaced y'distance from'pthe inner edges 24a and 25a, one edge Ao'f'thefiat surface being inclined rearwardlyas atv 52 from theplane of the frame so that *the| cross bar is provided with portions displacedout of the plane thereof in opposite directions. l The abrupt-raised portion 29a is preferably lformed byslitting :and deforming a portion of the material of the cross bar 26a upwardly beyond the 'thicknessthereof, thereby providing an opening 53 which cooperates with a downwardly projecting tongue portion 54 of the cross bar 2 la of the frame i5a for purposes which will hereinafterbe more particularly pointed out.

The cross bars Maand 25a of the frame Ia, are preferably vbent backupon themselves in a spaced relation to Vformv channels for-receiving the opposed edges lor side bars 2la and'28a of the frame Ia.r The upper sides of the channel formed on` the edges 24a and 25a are substantially parallel with the frame and are spaced a sufficient distance to receive the opposed edges ila, andia in slidable engagement therewith.

In assembling the frames in a cooperative rela- ;tion, the bars isia'and 23a are offset with respect tothe plane ofthe frame,l to suchan extent that the 'cross bars may passover the raised portion 29a ofthe frame Ia. `Wherrthe-fasteners of the present invention are sold with the garment as a part thereof, the bar 21a is fastened to the garment after the frames are assembled which prevents a displacement of the bars, one from the other. However, when the fastener is sold as a unit to be subsequently fastened to a garment, it may be desirable to provide that the frames remain in a non-separable relation and in such instance it may be desirable to straighten the offset bar Isa to limit the slidable engagement of the frame members in one direction, it being noted that the kbar 2Ia will limit the slidable engagement in the other direction.

VAfter the buckles are in operable condition, a strap may be threaded therebetween in a manner shown more particularly in Fig. 13 of the drawing, the free end of the strap 30a being passed under the bar l9a upwardly through the opening 22a over the bar 20a and thence downwardly through the slots 23a and 28a to a position behindV the bar 21a. However, the strap 30a is shown in a clamped adjusted position in Fig. 13, whereby a tension of the strap 30a has provided a relative longitudinal movement of the frame members |5a and I 6a in opposite directions away from each other, the frame I5a having moved upwardly with'the strap and the frame |6a having remained in a fixed relation relatively to the lingerie The relative longitudinal movement thus initiated by the tension of the strap causes a clamping of the strap between the opposed faces of the bars 2 la and 26a and a clinching of the strap in the opening 53 by reason of the tongue 54 urging the strap thereinto. The inclined portion 52 of the bar 26a facilitates the introduction of the strap into the opening 53, the tongue portion 54 being substantially the width of the inclination 52 of the bar 26a. The strap 30a, therefore, is clamped between the flat edges of the bars 2|a and 25a and the clinching of the strap is accomplished by the inclined tongue 54 urging a portion of the strap 30a into the recess 53.

There is preferably a desired resiliency in the bar Zla so that in riding up the incline 52 the tongue will be permitted to give sumciently to accommodate the strap therebetween and when in registration with the aperture or recess 53, the tongue will tend to return to its initial position due to the resiliency of the material and will cause the strap to be urged into the recess.

While several embodiments of this invention are herein shown and described, it is to be understood that various modifications thereof may be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention and, therefore, the same are only to be limited by the scope of the prior art and the appended claims.

We claim: Y

1. A slide buckle, comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames having cooperating bars for engaging a strap threaded therebetween, one of said cooperating bars having a portion displaced out of the plane thereof and the other of said cooperating bars having portions displaced out of the plane thereof in opposite directions with a recess therebetween, the displaced portion of said first mentioned cooperating bar coacting with the walls of said recess to clamp said strap in adjusted positions upon the movement of said frames in opposite directions, one of the displaced portions of said second mentioned cooperating bars facilitating the introduction of the displaced portion of said first mentioned cooperating bar into cooperative relation with the walls of said recess and the other displaced portion of said second mentioned cooperating bar extending into the path of movement of said first mentioned cooperating bar to engage saidv strap extending from between the opposed faces of said Acooperating bars.

2. A slide buckle, comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames each having side bars and cross bars connecting said side bars defining at least one slot for receiving straps threaded therethrough, a cross bar of one of said frames acting to support a garment or other article and the oth-er cross bar having a raised portion and engaging said strap, a cross bar of the other of said frames overlying a portion of said strap engaging cross bar of said first mentioned frame and cooperating therewith to clampsaid strap in adjusted positions between the opposed faces thereof and between the edges of said cross bar and said raised portion upon the tensioning of said strap, and a pair of cross bars of said second mentioned frame being raised out of the plane thereof to pass over said strap engaging raised portion.

3. A slide buckle, comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames each having side bars and cross bars connecting said side bars defningrat least one slot for receiving straps threaded therethrough, a cross bar of one of said frames acting to support a garment or other' article and the other cross bar having portions displaced from the frame in opposite directions and a recess therebetween, and a cross bar of the other of said frames overlying a portion of said first mentioned cross bar and having a displaced portion for cooperating with the walls of said recess to clamp said strap in adjusted positions upon the tensioning of said strap, one of said displaced portions of said first mentioned cooperating cross bars facilitating the introduction of the displaced 1 portion of said second mentioned cooperating cross bar into cooperative relation with the walls of said recess and the other displaced portion of said first mentioned cooperating cross bar extending into the path of movement of said second mentioned cooperating cross bar to engage said strap extending from between the opposed faces of said cooperating bars.

4. A slide buckle, comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames having cooperating substantially I ilat bars for engaging a strap threaded therebetween, one of said cooperating bars being slit and having a portion deformed from the material thereat to extend out of the plane thereof providing a recess thereat, and the other bar having movement in the path of said deformed portion and cooperating with the walls of said recess to clamp said strap therebetween in adjusted positions and between the opposed faces of said cooperating bars upon the movement of said frames in opposite directions.

5. A slide buckle, comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames each having side bars and cross bars connecting said side bars defining at least one slot for receiving straps threaded therethrough, a cross bar of one of said frames being slit and having a portion deformed from the material thereat to extend out of the plane thereof providing a recess thereat, and a cross bar of the other Vof said frames cooperating with said rst mentioned cross bar to clamp said strap between the opposed faces thereof and having movement in the path of said deformed portion and having a portion cooperating with the walls of said recess to clamp said strap therebetween in adjusted positions upon the tensioning of said strap.

6. A slide buckle, comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames each having side bars and cross 5 bars connecting said side bars defining at least one slot for receiving straps threaded therethrough, one of said frames having a cross bar acting to support a garment or other article and another cross bar having a raised portion engaging said 10 strap, the other of said frames having three cross PAUL W. WHITE. PAUL HEINZE. 

